SUNSHINE 

AND 

RAIN 




H. H. GRABBE 



SUNSHINE 

AND 

RAIN 




COPYRIGHTED 1921 BY 

H. H. GRABBE 

PEK I N, II-I-. 



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MAR 30 1921 
C1&612426 



'SUNSHINE AND RAIN" 



This little book of verse, by H. H. 
Grabbe, Pekin's Poet and one who of 
all tjmes keeps aglow his worship of 
the true art of Poesy, has so much of 
quaint philosophy, natural sweetness 
and human tenderness set down in its 
ipages that it will well repay the time, 
spent in its perusal. 

"Sunshine and Rain", is a true reflec- 
tion of the life of the author and with 
its pathos and wit, .. its deep under- 
standing of life and motives reveals 
also a power of ^^nspiration and a 
broad outlook that stamp it as unusual. 

The little book carries with it no 
pretense of pride and tells, in the sim- 
ple words of the common man and 
woman, something of the deeper life 
that underlies and ovrshadows, sur- 
rounds and supports all our earthly 
existence. Withal, at times it strikes 
a note of pure simplicity and rugged 
grandeur that many more famous 
brothers of the shining brow may well 
wish were theirs in larger meahure. 

"Sunshine and Rain," is simple as 
the innocent merriment of childhood, 
sweet as the memory of youth, and 
pure as the golden glow which bright- 
ens the hillside when the rain has 

passed. 

A. E. H. 



My COUNTRY. 



My true, beloved native land, 
My U. S. A., My Uncle Sam! 

Where kings and princes are unknown, 
That js my country, that't my home! 

I love thy boundless fields of grain, 
Thy cotton, corn and sugar cane; 

I love thy mountain hills and dales, 
Thy rivers, lakes and Indian trails. 

I love the East and Golden West, 
The north and the south and my flag 
the best. 

And when I've long since turned to 

dust. 
It's still U. S. A.: in God we Trust! 



— 5— 

THE LITTLE QUEEN OF THE 

GREAT MIDDLE WEST 

Pekin |s the little queen of the great 
middle west 
Where the factories are always busy 
and the wages are the best; 
Where the working-man is contented 
with his children and his wife 
And gets all the comforts and enjoy- 
ments of life. 
Her churches and schools are the best 
in the land, 
And the Tazewell county courthouse 
is certainly something grand: 
She's a city of good homes among 
beautiful trees, 
Where you still hear Bob White 
and the buzz of the bees. 
Her parks and theaters are right up 
to date. 
And her bands and Stein's orchestra 
are the best {n the state. 
Her banks are the guardians of her 
industry and wealth 
Where capital and labor deposit their 
wealth. 
The great Illinois River rolls gently 
by her shore 
And the great corn-wheat belt is 
right at her door. 
Her mines are inexhaustible for ages 
to come, 
That's why Pekin is the only city 
under the sun. 
So if you want to be happy and live 
up-to-date. 
Come over to Pekin and don't stop 
to wait. 
For Pekin ]s the little queen of the 
great middle west 
Where the factories are always busy 
and the wages are the best. 



THE COURT HOUSE BUNCH 



Don't ever miss that jolly crowd, 

Around the Court House Benches 
Where you can talk and laugh out loud 

About farms and monkey wrenches. 
Right there you get the solid facts 

Of Capital and of Labor 
And get fine points on income tax 

And learn to love your neighbor. 
Your hear about the sugar house 

and also about the Smith-shop 
And when the last time we got soused 

And had such awful hiccoughs. 
Many times the judge will come 

And give us information 
The way this country should be run 

To kill that league of nations. 
Of course we all are geting wise 

And some are getting wiser 
We know that England told us lies 

That's why we licked the Kaiser. 
We get the price of farming land 

And how the oats are yielding 
And then we hear the Pekin Band 

The finest stunts they are spelling. 
We learn how all our meals are cooked 

And fined out how the crops are 
And if it was all bound and booked 

You couldn't get in a boxcar. 
And in some far-off distant day 

We'll think of those green benches, 
Where you and me were always gay, 

And worked with monkey-wrenches. 



-7— 



THE MONARCH IN HIS HOME 

* * * * 

Now the nights are getting longer, 
And the frost is in the air; 

Then your love of home grows fonder 
in your good old rocking chair. 

With your dear wife there beside you, 
For a good old evening chat; 

And your youngsters will delight you, 
Playing circus with the cat. 

Then you get a Kingly feeling, 
Like a monarch that is crowned; 

All is yours from floor to ceiling, 
With your loved ones close around. 

There's no King in all his splendor, 
Not half as great upon his throne; 

As you and those you love so tender, 
In your humble cottage home. 

And when in years old time's be-en 
peeling. 

All the luster frcm your dome, 
Oh, then I hope you'll still be feeling 

Like a monarch in your home. 



WAIL OF THE WANDERER 

Take me back to Indiana, 
Where the people smile and sneeze; 
Where the fields are full of cornstalks 
And the woods are full o' trees. 

Where the kids ai^ full o' colic, 
And are also full o' teas; 
Where the horses are full o' fodder 
And the cows are full o' peas. 

Where the briers are full o' chiggers 
That make you scratch and grease; 
And the wind is full o' microbes 
That make you puff and wheezze. 

Where the flowers are full o' honey 
And the air is full o' bees. 
And each feller says "good mornin," 
To every guy he sees. 

Where I spent my happy childhood 
'Midst the blossom scented breeze, 
A roman' through the wildwood 
With a dog chuck full o' fleas. 

Yes, it's back to Indiana 
Where you get good home-made cheese 
And you still have old hard cider 
While King Rum is on his knees. 

O,' it's back to Indiana 
Where they've cut out all the sprees; 
Back to the land o' grapejuice, 
Where whiskey' lost its "keys." 

So I'm bound for Indiana 
Where the "shes" as well as "hes" 
Go into the curtained booth 
And vote as they durn please. 



— 9- 



RECONSTRUCTION 



It seems to me there's something 

wrong, 
The folks I see look gloomy: 
If that don't change it won't be long— 
We'll all be actin' looney. 

The streets are full of idle men; 
They say it's reconstruction. 
But you know well that most of them 
Need work and more provision. 

Old Uncle Sam has got no time; 
He's busy with pro'bition. 
He's dumping all the beer and wine 
So there'll be no more suspicion. 

Us working men must wait awhile. 
'Till Uncle Sam gits ready. 
He's cleanin' up that fusel oil. 
Then we'll be workin' steary. 

And then we'll get the old Blue Law. 
Say Boy, then we'll git busy. 
We'll go to church with Maw and Paw 
In Henry Ford's tin LIZZIE. 



—10- 



VENUS 



The brightest star in all the year 

Is Venus in December. 
She fills the world with Christmas 
cheer, 

In the cold month of December. 

No star that spins in endless space, 
Has got such light and splendor 

As Venus when she shows her face, 
In the mornings of Decembe?\ 

Among countless stars up in the sky, 
We see her rise in splendor, 

And then we'll know that by and by 
We'll have Christmas in December. 



-11- 



IN MEMORY OF WHITCOMB 
RILEY 



Whitcomb Riley is no more — 

He has left for that unknown shore, 

Yet his words he put in rhyme 
Will stay with us for all the time. 

His swimming hole,' knee deep in June 
And all the birds when the violets 

bloom 
Will bring us back to childhood days 
And bring bright sunshine on our 
ways. 

We almost see the hired hand, 
The wobbly calf and Sister Ann, 

And the noise they'd make when the 
bees would swarm, 
Way back in childhood on the farm. 

How many a child has laughed with 
glee 

When it would read and almost see 
Those words that Riley put in rhyme 

Of winter's storms and summertime. 

How near he us to nature brings 
This man that sang of common 
things; 

That's why you find in all our homes, 
A book of Whitcomb Riley's poems. 



-12- 



WHEN QUAIL QUITS BOB WHITE 

When you hear that plaintive calling 

Of the quail who quits Bob White, 
And when the leaves commence to 

falling 
Then that good old pumpkin's ripe 

When you see the swallows flying 
Heading for the sunny south, 

And you smell some sausage frying, 
Then it's time for sauer kraut. 

When yon hear that cane mill squeak- 
ing 

Making sorghum, say thai'*:; gteat: 
And that cider barrel starts leaking. 

Gangway please, no time to wait. 

When you sipread that good old 
sorghum 

On those red hot pancakes, 
Then's no use to start arguing, 

I'll get mine, done care who waits. 

When the frost will nip j^our fingers. 
And your nose will start to drip, 

Then I always like to linger 

Round the stove, it makes a hit. 

So fare you well, my dear old summer, 
Until the roses come again; 

While this lasts it's sure a hummer 
But when it snows the fun begins. 



•IS- 



OLD WINTER. 



* * * 



When you hear the frogs a-croakin, 
And one lonesome robin sings, 
Then old Winter's backbone's broken, 
Then it won't be long till Spring. 

When you hear the chickens cackle 
And the rooster flops his wings 
An' you see some fishin' tackle, 
Then it won't be long till Spring. 

When you see the kiddies playin' 
Marbles all around the ring 
An' the chickens start to layin' 
Then it won't be long till Spring. 

When ye hear the farmers jokin' 
How much sassafras they drink 
Then old Winter's backbone is broken 
And it won't be long till Spring. 



-14- 



LABOR DAY. 



Labor Day will always be 
The greatest day of them all, 

Eejause then all the world can see 
The man wjth the overalls. 

He is the master of all the lands, 

He's greater than a king; 
Whereever he raises his brawny hands 

He makes the mountains ring. 

He made this world a paradise, 
With plenty to eat and drink; 

Dcn't ever think that he ain't wise. 
For he made everything. 

His toiling hands made all this wealth 
So you must treat him right: 

He don't work always for h^s health, 
All hours, day and night. 

He likes to stay at home sometimes 
With those that he loves best. 

And drink his good old beer and wine, 
Of which this world is blessed. 

So give three cheers for Labor Day, 
And the man in the overalls, 

And grasp him by the hand and asy, 
"I like you best of all." 



—15- 



LINCOLN 



The greatest man of modern times, 
Is our own Abraham Lincoln. 

He showed the world his master mind, 
And to us what he was thinking. 

He was a real American, 

He loved our flag and nation, 

He placed us on a higher plan. 
Above all other nations. 

That's why we honor Lincoln's birth 
He believed in emancipation. 

He believed in freedom here on eath 
And Christ and His Salvation. 



-16- 



EVLOUTION 

* * * * 

It doesn't matter how we like it 
To be told that men evolved: 

Only thus are certain mysteries 
To be completely solved. 

When a fellow stuffs his gizzard. 
Puffs his sides out like a frog, 

We in concert and derision 
Say he' acting like a hog. 

When a fellow well intentioned 
Treads your corn, no matter how. 
You proclaim that he has acted 
Like that bird they call a cow. 

When some woman like a goddess 
Takes away your power of speech 

Only one word can express it: 
"Man alive! Ain't she a peach!" 

Monkey, buzzard, alligator. 

Elephant or crocodile, 
Blockhead, chicken, worm or peacock; 

Thus acquaintances we style! 

It may not be evolution 

That has trademarked us like that; 
But it's clear that Mr. Darwin 

Had some evidence down pat! 



—IT- 
DEATH. 

* * * * 

What makes us all so afraid of Death? 

Why do we fear to die? 
I haveen't ever seen oen yet 

That can tell me the reason why. 

And yet we know there is a day 

When you must go, and I. 
We all think it is far away, 

But still we all must die. 

Why should us mortals fear to die? 

What Christ said must be true, 
That there are mansions in the sky 

Prepared for me and you. 



ANGRY WORDS 



Angry words are often spoken 
To the ones we love the best. 

Angry words have oiten broken, 

Hearts that's long since gone to rest. 

Angry words will always linger 

Like a scar upon a tree. 
Never help you, always hinder 

Like a storm upon the sea. 

Angry words have caused great nations 
To combat in bloody strife. 

Angry words will stop salvation 
While we're here and eternal life. 



—18— 

IN THE GLOAMING 

When the evening shadows falling 
Far off in the western sky, 
Then it seems like someone's calling 
Like they did when Ise a boy. 

Then I think of home and mother, 

Those happy days of long ago 
When I would romp and play with 

brother — 
Where it's all gone I hardly know. 

Hush! I believe I hear her singing 
"Jesus Lover of My Soul;" 
But it's only memory ringing 
With that voice I loved of old. 

That is why I love the gloaming 

Whenall lights are dim and low; 

O then'si the time when I start 

roaming 
Through the endless space of long ago! 



NOVEMBER 

* * * * 

Right now we're passing through 

November, 
The dreariest month in all the year, 
The weather's raw and we are tender, 
Old Summer Time has just been here. 

Old Mother Earth is always turning. 
Those change of seasons will be here 
So while we live we're always learning 
That all these changes make the year. 

So speed along you bleak November, 
We'll pass you up Thanksgiving Day, 
And then we'll tackle old December, 
And be all smiles on Christmas Day. 



-ID- 



MAY AND JUNE 



How often have I wished it was al- 
ways May and June, 

When the apple and cherry trees are 
all out in bloom; 

When the hills and the valleys and 
the trees are all green 

How beautiful and charming does 
everything seem 

When the blue bird and robin, the red 

hird and the thrush 
All getting busy abuilding in the 

brush; 
And you her the bees a swarming in 

the old apple tree, 
And Bob White in the distance, that's 

sweet music to me- 

When you hear the frog& a croaking, 

in the old wallow pond. 
And the wood-pecker busy, with his 

last year's pecans; 
And the barefooted boy wath his face 

all agrin. 
Sneaking off with Fido to have his 

first swim. 

And the air all fragrant with the scent 

of the bloom, 
Oh! Then's when I wish it w^as always 

May and always June. 



—20— 

MEMORIAL DAY 

* * * * 

This Nation bows her head today, 

In memorial of her dead; 

For her love'd ones that have passed 

away, 
A many tear will be shed. 

And in that Silent City of the Dead, 
Where ourloved ones are sleeping and 

our Braves; 
While the Stars and Stripes wave 

overhead. 
We will strew garlands of roses on 

their gravesi. 



MOTHER 

a: * * * 

When mother turned the cover down, 
Then all this world seemed right; 

And said go bring your little gown 
I wish it was tonight. 

That dear good heart has ceased to 
beat, 

Those loving hands are still; 
No more I hear her busy feet, 

No one her place can fill. 

There's many years since chen passed 
by. 

And many more may come; 
And yet I hear her say "my boy" 

"Leave all your deeds well done." 

Then we will meet when time 's' no 
more. 

Where death has lost it's sting; 
And Christ will open up that door. 

Where God will be our King. 



-21- 



DREAMLAND 



At night when we are all asleeping 
Then we're in Dreamland wide awake, 
No one gets in there that is peeping, 
No matter what excuse they make. 

There's funny sights of all description 
Keeps looming up as we go along; 
And everything is so bewitc>ing. 
Like nothing ever would go wc.m^. 

The firii^.est place in all creation. 
We reach it in a moment's time; 
We meet our friendsi and our relations 
And leave all troubles far behind. 

And when we feel like we're contented 
And everything has come our way; 
Right then we find it all has ended. 
Good Morning brought another day. 



—22— 

PEACE ON EARTH 

* * * * 

Peace on Earth, Good Will toward 
men, 

Let us try to make it binding. 
And make all wars come to an end, 

Yet while the sun is shining. 

Let's make this Peace on Earth come 
true, 

We are the Educators; 
It all depends on me and you. 

To stop this awful hatred. 

Peace on Earth, Good Will toward 
men, 

Let's teach it to all nations; 
Then we have done the best we can, 

To the world and our salvation. 



BACK TO INDIANA 

* * * * 

Take me back to Indiana, 
Where they eat their biscuits hot; 
Where the girls are still called Fannie 
And you still can get a shot. 

Where the men still wear the breeches 
And the women wear the pants; 
Where the girls are sweet as peaches 
And the boys all loce to dance. 

Where the preachers drank hard cider 
And the folks all go to church; 
Where the moonshine looks more 

brighter; 
Where they never have a thirst. 

So I'm bound for Indiana 
To that great old Hoosier state. 
Where everything is handy 
And you never need to wait. 



—23— 
INDIANA 

Way down in dear old Indiana, 

Where I spent my happy childhood 
on the farm 
O, there is where I called my mother 
Mammy 

And dear old daddy kept me from all 
harm. 
O, Time, how fast have you been 
speeding 

Since I left home at mothers knee; 
Her love I often have been needing. 

For she was all this world to me. 
I often now go there in deamland, 

My home is y3t there on the hill; 
The house and barn and all I see them 

And way back yonder whip-poor-will. 
The little creek where I went fishing 

With brother Bill so many times. 
How often since have I been wishing 

I was there now with pole and line. 
I often think of Watch and Fido, 

Our good old dogs of long ago. 
Their funny stunts and funny didoes 

When mother's dinner horn would 
blow. 
I hear Bob White back in the timber 

Where father's little sawmill stood, 
Where me and brother'd go in winter 

The rabbits and the coons would 
shoot. 
So fare-you-well, my dear old Indiana^ 

Farewell, my good old Hoosier state, 
Some day I'll rest there by my mammy 

When they pass me through old Oak 
Hill's gate. 
But Indiana will always be there. 

Long after I have turned to dust, 
And Whip-poor-will you'll always hear 
there 

Just after sunset; right at dusk. 



-24— 



YESTERDAY OF LONG AGO 

* * * * 

I passed it yesterday again, 
Tlie school house by the river. 

Where you and I were children, Jane, 
And used to sweat and shiver. 

In heats of June, December frost, 
And when in rainy weather. 

Those swoolen roadside brook we 
crossed 
So many times together. 

How free from care our lives were then 
With happy childhood pleasure, 

But what an awful change has been 
Since time commenced to measure. 

That grapevine swing beneath the 
Gum, 

Wheare you and I went swinging. 
Is torn away in times mad run. 

In memory only clinging. 

That old rail fence down in the lane. 
Chuck full of sweet wild roses. 

Is torn away for the want of sence. 
Its me and you that knows it. 

That clover field around the bend, 

The sweetest in creation, 
Where me and you so often went. 

There is now a railroad station. 

Those happy days are gone, dear Jane 
It almost makes me shiver. 

Of all thas's left and looks the same, 
Is the old Ohio river. 



-25- 



POSEY COUNTY 



Posey County, Indiana, 
Hooppole township, world-renown 
Wliere you find the hoop pole& handy 
And the houses built of stone. 

Where the old maids never marry 
And the bachelors never try; 
Where they sing and never worry 
When they're old they generally die. 

Wliere they raise their hogs for bacon 
And their cider's hard to beat 
They can trace their own relations 
Back to when there was no wheat. 

All the men are great politicians 
And the women never vote, 
But they like the old religion. 
And that Blue Law gets their goat. 



-26- 



AMONG US MORTALS 

* * * * 

Let's alwaysi try to be contented, 
No matter what we have to do. 
For righteousness we were intended 
Because our days on earth are few. 

Let's always try to help each other. 
It'll be our gain when Time's no more- 
And always try to help a brother, 
And never turn him from your door. 

Don't never try to jujdge a brother, 
Perhap's it's you that's doing wrong. 
We're only mortals here together 
And none of us can stay here long. 

So let us try to be contented; 
If things don't always come our way, 
And make good what we have intended 
We might not see another day. 



-27- 



THE SPIRIT OF WASHINGTON 



Washington's Birthday will alwaysi be 
A day of rejoicing on land and on sea; 
Where Freedom in our inheritance 

and kings are unknown. 
Where the spirit of Washington sti 1 

dwells in our home. 

Where the Stars and Stripes will for- 
ever wave 

For Freedom and Right from the 
cradle to the grave, 

Where peace is our motto, but can 
fight if me must. 

Then we all are united and in God we 
all trust. 



—28- 



LIFE'S LAST STATION 



When we come to Life's last station, 
And our sun is sinking low; 

Then we'd give the whole creation, 
If Old Father Time go slow. 

Ther's no use to be awaiting,, 
for it soon be dark and cold; 

All our love and all our hating, 
When we're gone, will all be told. 

Will we then see in the distance, 

Through this awful gloomy night, 
See a l[ttle spark a glistening; 

Like a friendly beacon light? 
Will some one be there to meet us 

When we come through that black 
night? 
Will some one be there to greet us? 

Will we find that endless light? 

Will we find that endless morning 
Where the evenings are unknown, 

Where no tempests, no more storming. 
Will that be our future home? 

Will we meet there all our loved ones. 
That we knew when we were here? 
All be there and haven't missed one. 
Where old Death has lost his fear. 



,m^^ '^ CONGRESS 
015 897 471 r* 



